Search for

Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Light-Induced Color Change Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Cleistopholis patens Trade Name Afirifiriwa Family Name Annonaceae Common Names Afirifiriwa, Aheri, Apako, Aru, Avom, Bofu, Bukadi, Ewetie, Fifiriwa, Lukunzu, Lupupaya, Muso, Nkyene ne ngo, Obitie, Oke, Otu, Ou, Ovok, Sobou, Sobu, Soubu, Tsho-lole, Wisa ne kyene Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Food containers, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Sporting Goods Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Black Green/grey Orange White to cream Greenish to greyish Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Green/Grey Same as heartwood Grain Straight Even Straight Texture Fine Coarse Medium Medium to coarse Luster Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Non durable Perishable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Light-Induced Color Change None Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Polishing Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 3949 6009 psi Density 24 lbs/ft3 Hardness 319 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3324 5570 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1017 1199 1000 psi Weight 24 20 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 277 422 kg/cm2 Density 384 kg/m3 Hardness 144 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 233 391 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 71 84 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 384 320 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Forest Products Research Laboratory, Nigeria,1965,Nigerian Timbers for Matchmaking,Nigeria Fed. Department of Forest Research, Ibadan, Forest Products,Research Laboratory Report No.5 Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38 France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] United Kingdom - H.M.S.O.,1954,Report of the Matchwood Working Party,H.M.S.O. for the Board of Trade and Ministry of Materials